The default layers: Layout, Controls and Dimension Lines are not possible to rename neither delete (because they are "system" layers) and they serve different needs with different behaviours. I would like to purpose that, when double clicking one of this layers, the disabled name input text box would have additional text that would help the user: • Layout (default workspace, text and object appear here by default) • Controls (used for buttons. Objects are always in front of the other layers) • Dimension Lines (all dimensions are automatically placed here)
The name input box is unsuitable for that purpose, because its value is automatically filled from an internal property. The user only needs this information as long as he is inexperienced with the tool "Layer". I don't know, how much space is at the right side of the check boxes, if the labels are in other languages. There is enough space inside the 'description' field. But I don't know, if there is a good way to indicate, that the user can deleted such text to put his own text into the field. Perhaps our design team has some ideas, whether it is possible to provide such help inside the dialog.
(In reply to Regina Henschel from comment #1) > The name input box is unsuitable for that purpose, because its value is > automatically filled from an internal property. Hm, I though that much but my intent was to make it understandable, to the user, that actually not all layers are equal, they have different behaviours (which quite unique when comparing with other examples of layer user pattern) > > The user only needs this information as long as he is inexperienced with the > tool "Layer". > > I don't know, how much space is at the right side of the check boxes, if the > labels are in other languages. > > There is enough space inside the 'description' field. But I don't know, if > there is a good way to indicate, that the user can deleted such text to put > his own text into the field. > > Perhaps our design team has some ideas, whether it is possible to provide > such help inside the dialog. Yup I agree with you 100%, that even if it was possible it might not be ideal. It's just that the default layers have no cues to follow regarding their behaviour, why they are locked. Nevertheless if the info was add to Bug 127287 maybe this wouldn't be so needed. what do you think?
At the same time and since the names of these default layers cannot be changed I wonder how many people do actually use the Description in each of those Layers. Maybe it could be as easier as: 1. Make the description's contents disabled but already filled with the description in that particular layer and since we have more space we could even extend the description I posted here (bullets) 2. The description text box is still possible to edit but by default it comes already filled. In the case the user deletes all his newly added description the default value goes back to the initial description. I would probably tend to go with 1st since it seems more clear both for users and even in terms of development.
Up to the meeting. On a sidenote, what is the Title good for?
We discussed the idea in the design meeting. Adding the information to the description field makes sense. And it wont hurt if the user is able to change/delete the default description. Additionally, it would be good to show the description field as tooltip for the tab/layer.